Behind the Bench, Feb 12th – Junior Hockey News

It’s that time of year again. The AAA leagues have reached the post-season and the results are beginning to come in. This weekend featured the HPHL League Playoff Championship. The U16’s resulted in Honeybaked defeating Compuware, 2-1.

The rest of the 2020 HPHL Playoff Championship divisional winners are as follows:

HPHL LEAGUE PLAYOFF CHAMPIONS

Squirt Major 10U – CHICAGO MISSION

PeeWee Minor 11U – TEAM ILLINOIS

PeeWee Major 12U – TEAM ILLINOIS

Bantam Minor 13U – COMPUWARE

Bantam Major 14U – TEAM ILLINOIS

Midget 15’s – HONEYBAKED

16U –HONEYBAKED

18U –COMPUWARE

This coming weekend the Tier One Elite Hockey League 2020 Playoffs will take place in Blaine, MN at the Schwan Super Rink (U14, O15, U16 & U18 2/14-2/17).

Likewise, the North American Prospects Hockey League 14/15/16/18U Dixon Cup Playoffs will commence in Detroit at the Troy Sports Center and Onyx Ice Arena, 2/14-2/17.

In preparation of the coming playoffs (and you should ALWAYS be preparing), one must be in the proper mindset to win. How do you do that? Excellent question! In fact, it is at the heart of the article that Coach Littler wants to share with all of you this week.

5 WAYS TO THINK LIKE A CHAMPION

Jon Gordon

I meet and learn from Champions every day. Not just in locker rooms but in classrooms, hospitals, homeless shelters, homes and office buildings. I've learned that to be a champion you must “Think Like a Champion”.

Champions think differently than everyone else. They approach their life and work with a DIFFERENT MINDSET AND BELIEF SYSTEM that separates them from the pack.

1. Champions Expect to Win - When they walk on the court, on the field, into a meeting or in a classroom

THEY EXPECT TO WIN.

In fact, they are surprised when they don't win. They expect success and their positive beliefs often lead to positive actions and outcomes. THEY WIN IN THEIR MIND FIRST and then they win in the hearts and minds of their customers, students or fans.

2. Champions Celebrate the Small Wins – By celebrating the small wins champions gain the confidence to go after the big wins.

BIG WINS AND BIG SUCCESS HAPPEN THROUGH THE ACCUMULATION OF MANY SMALL VICTORIES.

This doesn't mean champions become complacent. Rather, with the right kind of celebration and reinforcement, champions work harder, practice more and believe they can do greater things.

3. Champions Don't Make Excuses When They Don't Win - They don't focus on the faults of others.

THEY FOCUS ON WHAT THEY CAN DO BETTER.

They see their mistakes and defeats as opportunities for growth. As a result, they become stronger, wiser and better.

4. Champions Focus on What They Get To Do, Not What They Have To Do - They see their life and work as a gift, not an obligation. They know that if they want to achieve a certain outcome

THEY MUST COMMIT TO AND APPRECIATE THE PROCESS.

They may not love every minute of their journey but their attitude and will help them develop their skill.

5. Champions Believe They Will Experience More Wins in the Future -

THEIR FAITH IS GREATER THAN THEIR FEAR.

Their positive energy is greater than the chorus of negativity. Their certainty is greater than all the doubt. Their passion and purpose are greater than their challenges. In spite of their situation champions believe their best days are ahead of them, not behind them.

If you don’t think you have what it takes to be a champion, think again.

CHAMPIONS AREN’T BORN.

They are shaped and molded. And as iron sharpens iron you can develop your mindset and the mindset of your team with

the right thinking, beliefs and expectations that lead to powerful actions.

Do you think champions are born or developed?

Okay, more relevantly do you think Stanley Cup Champions are born or developed? Do you think Wayne was just born the Great One. He wasn’t. He spent every flipping moment he could on the backyard rink (Walter built for him), while growing up in Brantford. He would arrive early to games and visualize his play hours before. He spent hours alone working on the game he loved.

It takes work, persistence, dedication, attitude, focus and a belief in oneself to become great.

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We want to hear from you. If there are any questions, concerns, or if you just want to have a conversation, please feel free to contact us directly. Good Luck and Great Hockey!

Thank you,

Team VHC

Author: Michael MooreMichael is a professional hockey scout and advisor with Victorious Hockey helping North America’s top hockey prospects fulfill their ultimate playing potential.

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